Autumn's Orapax Plantation Hunt

I took Autumn this morning down to Orapax Plantation in Goochland, Virginia to have one last live Pheasant experience before the season ends. The temperature this morning was cold- 34 degrees, but the sun was out and made for a great morning. Autumn flushed four roosters, and in typical fashion, grabbed two in mid-air. One of the grabbed birds did get away but was taken down via a shot of lead.

Autumn was on a check cord the entire hunt in order for me to reel her in after picking up each bird to stop her desire to prance around with a prized pheasant in her mouth By the third bird she started to get the idea and with a little coaxing began to bring the bird right back to me.

I am really happy with today's hunt. Hopefully by the fall she will be off a check cord and ready to go. All in all I am pleased with this 8 month old Golden.

Autumn's First bird

I was invited to take Autumn to experience her first live bird hunt today. We were invited by Robin and Dale at Little Georgetown farm in Broad Run Virginia. Autumn did a great job for her first time out. She was a little confused at first but quickly chased down a Rooster that was shot. When she picked up the semi alive bird she started parading around with it like a prize. After some coaxing she finally handed it over.

Later in the day she flushed and grabbed a Pheasant out of mid air. Finally she went after a flushed Quail. Unfortunately for me the quail dodged my shot and got away.

Today made me realize that training at home only can go so far with her performance in the field. I had high expectations that she would do everything like she does at home. Boy was I wrong.

Overall she did well for being 8 months old. She did follow whistle commands, was never startled by my Benelli going off, stayed close, flushed and retrieved, and interfaced well with the other dog in the field, a Britanny Spaniel. I realized that we need to work with more basics of come, sit and stay. I am very proud of her....we have a lot of work a head of us.